LAS VEGAS — Search for D.J. Stephens with Google and the results are filled with headlines touting his incredible dunking ability.

Stephens is growing weary of the limitations placed on his game. The 6-5 guard is playing on the Grizzlies' summer league squad in Las Vegas with the goal of proving he's more than just a freakish athlete capable of only delivering rim-rattling highlights.

Stephens will make his point over the weekend if his performance Friday night during the Grizzlies' easy victory over a collection of NBA Development League stars was any indication.

His 3-and-D display appeared smooth, particularly in the second half when Stephens made open 3-pointers and ferociously harassed the opposition on defense. Stephens, 25, is again trying to compel an NBA team to keep him on a roster since leaving the University of Memphis.

This time, Stephens is inspired by a Griz player he's only met once or twice. The guy with a 40-inch vertical leap now identifies with another high flyer in this regard: Stephens believes if Vince Carter could overcome the stigma of being just a dunker, so can he.

At least that was Stephens' realization after he recently watched a Carter documentary on NBA TV.

"That was perfect for me," Stephens said. "For so long Vince was labeled the athletic guy and everybody saw him as just a dunker. But he was so much more than that. That's pretty much what I'm trying to show everybody. I'm a well-rounded basketball player. There's a lot more to me than just my athleticism."

Count Griz coach David Fizdale as someone who believes in Stephens' evolution.

"He defended great and he made his corner 3," Fizdale said Friday night. "That's really important for him to make it in the NBA. Those are the two areas he's really got to be good at to be a big-time role player. You put that together with his athleticism and he has a chance."

Stephens wants to be considered as someone who can fill the Grizzlies' void at backup shooting guard. He spent the past year in the D-League, finishing with the Griz affiliate Iowa Energy. The Energy traded for Stephens and sent the Canton Charge a 2016 fifth-round draft pick for him.

The move not only put Stephens on the Grizzlies' radar but allowed him to learn and adapt to their system. He improved his ball-handling and consistently showed he could make open shots.

"That's one of the biggest knocks on me. People think I can't shoot," Stephens said. "But I'm capable of knocking down open 3s. I'm pretty comfortable. As time goes on, I feel more confident on the floor. I want to knock down open shots and show everybody I'm a great defender."

His defensive prowess is without question. Stephens' ability to defend both guard positions and small forwards is the type of versatility the Griz need.

Since leaving Memphis in 2013, Stephens has essentially tried out for Milwaukee, Dallas, Cleveland, Miami and New Orleans. Those stints were brief. Stephens, though, isn't short on motivation.

"I'm going to compete and play hard," Stephens said, "and show them that I feel like I deserve to be here."

About Ronald Tillery

Ronald Tillery is the Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. He has served as the only daily Griz writer chronicling games, practices, news and player profiles since the team moved to Memphis in 2001.